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A Battle Over Pronouns by Patty LaRoche
Mike, a friend from California, quit his upper-management job when he was forced to go through “sensitivity training” in an effort to appreciate diversity and was mandated to use gender-neutral pronouns such as “they,” “them,” “ze,” or “xe,” so as not to offend non-binary advocates who do not associate themselves with genders of man or woman. He said that he never knew how to refer to an interviewee sitting across the table from him.
Mike shared the following story. “T.T.T.” (They, Their, Them) had a beard, wore a sportscoat with khaki pants, and explained leaving (his/her/their) past employment as a heavyweight boxing champion because of injuries, BUT my friend couldn’t take anything for granted.
What if that day this person identified as a woman? (Yes, and perhaps I identify as a jockey, but let’s just guess what would happen if I tried to mount a horse in the Kentucky Derby.) Pretty wackadoodle, if you ask me.
Still, in this area, my husband, Dave, is ahead of the times. He has been switching pronouns for as long as I can remember. In the past week, he has made the following declarations: “We need to make sure and have the water heater checked.” “We should probably have the tires on the truck rotated.” “We’ve got to call and find out why our insurance rates went up.” Dave believes that this is from Genesis, when God joined Adam and Eve and said, “The two shall be as one.” Um-hmmm… Still, being the submissive wife I am, I have learned to answer in his language. “We sure should, Honey. Let us know what we find out when we make those calls.” Obviously, neither of us take this seriously.
And that’s where our pronoun “we” differs dramatically from those who are crying out to be understood, who don’t know which gender defines them… “he,” “she,” “they,” “them,” whatever. All kidding aside, I believe that God created everyone in His image, and it’s our responsibility to see these people as He does.
But that’s where it gets wackadoodle. Some individuals refer to themselves as “gender fluid,” meaning that they may identify as male this morning, female at lunch, genderless in the afternoon, and as equally male and female in the evening.
Too, what happens when everyone wants to create a pronoun that better suits they/their/them? Lee Harrington, a transgender, wrote the book Traversing Gender: Understanding Transgender Realities, advocating for the transgender community. In it he apologizes for these pronoun shifts, writing that no matter how hard you try to refer to people correctly, you will offend someone.
Readers, I have given this a lot of thought. As a Christian, what should my approach be towards those who do not accept how God made them and insist on being referred to in non-binary terms? Do I tell them that I believe that God created people as either male or female, and that gender-specificity is part of the created order?
Probably not, if my goal is to love them and let them know that they matter. Instead, I think that I would seek first to develop a relationship with them…which means I would call them by the name they choose. That might be my only way to share the news about our creator and how loved they are by Him…which probably is the best way I can assure them I care.
Obituary of Stephen Doherty
Stephen Joseph Doherty (Stevie, Duff), 62, passed in his sleep surrounded by his family members at The University of Kansas Hospital after a lengthy illness on August 3, 2022. Stevie was born September 13, 1959, son of Bernard Doherty and Delores (Walker) Doherty in Fort Scott, Kansas.
He attended grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1977. He was a big sports fan throughout his life and loved the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Notre Dame football, and the Kansas Jayhawks. He loved competition and played football, baseball, chess, poker, golf, and tried hard to play basketball. He also loved fishing, reading and history. He read all the classics from Tolstoy to Hemingway. After graduation, he attended Pittsburg State University for some time before starting his career in the construction business as a tuck pointer and mason. He worked for Mid-Continental Waterproofing Company, Landmark Restoration (for his brother, Ed) Midland Restoration, and started his own company for a short time called Over All Restoration with the slogan “Overall the best, Overall the rest”. His work took him all over the United States, and some of the notable places he worked on included the Jefferson Davis Memorial in Kentucky, the State Capitol of Texas in Austin, the John Hancock building in Chicago, and Union Station in Kansas City.
He was one of eleven children and is survived by nine brothers and sisters, Judith Maura (Larry), Nassau, Bahamas, Darlene Doherty, Margaret Humphrey (Merl), Barbara Woodward, Dan Doherty (Marie), Don Doherty (Roxie), Brian Doherty, Denise Doherty Brezik (David), all of Fort Scott, Michelle Youngdoff (Ron Crady), Overland Park, KS; sister-in-law Betty Doherty, St. Louis, and over 40 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Delores (Walker) Doherty, brother, Ed Doherty, nephew, Todd Woodward, great nephews, Elijah Doherty, Gabriel Stinson, Jacob Daley, and great nieces, Maggie Daley, and Jules Daley.
Stevie had a big heart and was a wonderful caretaker for his mom in her later years at home and at the nursing home. He not only visited her at the nursing home, but also took time to visit with everyone in the day room to make sure residents had someone to talk to. He was also proud of his role as mentor and coach to his nephew, Jeffrey Doherty.
Steve knew no stranger and was a skilled conversationalist, storyteller and comedian (or so he thought). He had so many friends. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the “Holmtown Crew”. Steve was also a member of Mary Queen of Angels Church.
Father Bob McElwee will officiate the Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Fort Scott, Kansas with burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
After the burial, everyone is invited for lunch and social at the John F. Kennedy Gymnasium.
The Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening, August 5, 2022, at the funeral home with a visitation immediately following.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Agenda for Uniontown City Council on August 9
CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________
ROLL CALL:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Open bids for Street Mill & Asphalt Project –
Open RFPs for Trash Service –
2022 Audit presentation, Amanda Lancaster, Diehl, Banwart, Bolton –
Ruritan Bathroom Project, Skeet George –
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes of July 12, 2022 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Vacation time –
KCC Pipeline Safety Seminar – October 26-27, Manhattan
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Smith Estate
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
HBCAT Placemaking Project – need budget numbers
KMEA/KMGA Annual Conference – September 29-30, Wichita
Fall Citywide Cleanup –
BBCO Health Dept Flu Shot Clinic – would like to hold a clinic at Community Center on October 13
November Regular Council Meeting Date – on election day
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin – KMGA Regional Meeting report
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Hartman –
Councilwoman Kelly –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
American Rescue Plan Act update–
2023 Budget – Gas Surcharge/Loan
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by __________, Second by ___________, Approved _______ to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ___________.
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2nd ___________________, Approved ___________
Attachments:
Uniontown City Council Minutes of July 12
Minutes are unapproved.
The Regular Council Meeting on July 12, 2022 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Raymond George, Uniontown Ruritan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Open Bids for School Pond Improvement Project – no bids received. Clerk Johnson will reach out to Don George, KDWPT, to determine next step.
2022 Financial Audit presentation – auditor is still waiting on an answer from the state for clarification on the budgeting of the gas utility loan repayments. She will present next month.
Ruritan Bathroom Project, Raymond “Skeet” George – Mr George showed the council samples for the stall partitions (his choice navy graphite) and asked about color for the epoxy for the floor (his choice maroon). His choice will be okay for bother, recommended a dark color for the floor. The sidewalk to the facility was poured today and they will put up the rafters tomorrow. Clerk Johnson asked for clarification on the concrete invoices for the sidewalks.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to pay Uniontown Ruritan for half of the concrete invoices, $859.29, for sidewalks
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the June 2022 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $343,297.29, Receipts $68,014.78, Transfers Out $5,026.00, Expenditures $34,520.81, Checking Account Closing Balance $371,765.26. Bank Statement Balance $375,547.36, including Checking Account Interest of $30.03, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $3,782.10, Reconciled Balance $371,765.26. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $30,100.97, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $18,593.23, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $28,381.43, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $448,840.89. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $176.59, and Utility CDs $168.40 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $344.99. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of June 2022, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. June Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 and to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 and to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00; from General Fund to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00, Total Transfers of $5,026.00. Net Income for the month of June $28,467.97, Year-to-Date Net Income $48,021.76. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $54,478.97 (51.7%), Expenditures $52,887.27 (40.5%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $17,479.06 (49.0%), Expenditures $21,248.5 (51.8%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $84,275.58 (60.4%), Expenditures $77,231.68 (31.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $94,259.14 (73.4%), Expenditures $78,216.43 (47.3%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,578.39 (52.2%), Expenditures $1,041.18 (9.8%). The July 2022 estimated payables in the amount of $25,923.51 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of June 14, 2022 Regular Council Meeting and June 29, 2022 Budget Worksession
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent Rich reported KDOT was here for a Safety Inspection. He has corrected all items discussed during the inspection.
It is time for lead and copper testing of the water system.
The water and sewer lines for the Ruritan bathroom project was discussed.
Lightning struck the telemetry at Redfield pump station at 2:37AM, 7/12/2022.
Councilmembers thank him for park looking so nice for the Independence Day Bash. Councilwoman Kelly inquired if Rich was keeping up without help this summer. He has not fogged for mosquitos yet this year and there have been no complaints.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that demolition has started at 404 Washington. We still have not received a list of planned rehabilitation and timeline. Clerk Johnson will reach out to partners.
He has not received anything from the attorney regarding the Smith Estate. Clerk Johnson will follow-up.
Clerk Johnson informed the council that KMU will be hosting a water training at Uniontown Community Center on November 1. It is on lead and copper revised rule and surface water treatment. It is free and attendees will receive 5 CEUs.
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to approve Bobby Rich attending if he so chooses
A letter was received from League of Kansas Municipalities asking the governing body to thank our legislators for supporting local government.
The response to KCC notice of probable noncompliance identified during the KCC inspection in May was reviewed and our response and proposed plan of action was accepted with no recommendation for civil penalty.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – BBCO REDI is planning a visioning session and asked for which of the three suggested dates (August 23, August 30, or September 13) will work for our governing body. August 23 or 30 will work. Once plans are finalized council members will let Clerk Johnson know if they are attending in order to notify the public of a possible quorum. He also asked Clerk Johnson to send him the KMGA Regional Meeting particulars again. 403 Sherman has a complaint about water readings and usage. Clerk Johnson will send information on the readings and consumption to him to go over with citizen.
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – pothole on Fifth St is getting bigger. Superintendent Rich is adding gravel often until he can get some saturock ordered.
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – a thank you note for Union State Bank was passed around for signatures. Clerk Johnson will take to bank tomorrow.
OLD BUSINESS
American Rescue Plan Act update – We have received $40,288.82 and will be used for upgrade to the warehouse and/or bathrooms at City Hall. All funds must be encumbered by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026. Coyan developed a drawing and specs for the bathroom upgrade and is soliciting contractors to bid. He is also soliciting contractors to bid on the re-skinning of the warehouse, replacement of east rollup door and addition of rollup door on south.
Street Repair – Mayor Jurgensen had a map of suggested areas to resurface – S Washington St from First St south to Chaffin St, Sherman St from Second St south to Union St, Third St from Sherman St east to Fulton St, Seventh St from Washington St east to Sherman St, a few feet of Sherman St south of Seventh St, Third St from Fulton St east to Clay St. It was suggested to mill and compact gravel certain sections then overlay next year to repair sinking areas. An invitation for bids will be published. Clerk Johnson will contact SEK Regional Planning Commission to see if there are grant funds available for city streets.
NEW BUSINESS
2023 Budget – mil rate last year was 36.899, council intends to exceed revenue neutral rate but lower the mil from last year.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to notify County Clerk that the City of Uniontown intends to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate and will hold a Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing on September 12, 2022 at 6:45PM at the Uniontown Community Center and the proposed mil rate is 35.312
Clerk Johnson will send notice to the county clerk.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:10PM.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance on non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20PM
Open meeting resumed at 9:20PM. There was discussion on the social media posting regarding the impound kennel and the subsequent vandalism at the kennel. Council will gather more information and leave the kennel where it is for now and revisit the issue next month.
Moved by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:56PM
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Aug. 4
Death Notice of Stephen Doherty
Stephen Joseph “Steve” Doherty, 62, of Fort Scott, passed away Wednesday morning, August 3, 2022, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
Father Robert McElwee will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, with burial following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
The Rosary will take place 5:30 p.m. Friday evening, August 5, 2022, at the funeral home with a visitation immediately following.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church or St. Mary’s Catholic School and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Master Gardener Training Offered This Fall
District Extension Agent, Horticulture
Southwind Extension District
111 S. Butler
Erie, KS 66733
Office: 620-244-3826
Cell: 620-496-8786
Kansas State University’s Extension Master Gardener program will be offered this fall. Applications are being accepted until August 10th. The training class will begin September 1st and run through December 15th. Classes will be a combination of on-line and in-person sessions held on Thursday afternoon’s from 1-4 pm. The in-person classes will be held at the Extension office in Iola. The Master Gardener training consists of 50 hours of instruction in all aspects of horticulture. Instructors include state specialists from Kansas State University. Once certified as an Extension Master Gardener, participants are asked to donate time in their community to help others learn more about gardening and horticulture.
Applications are available on the Southwind Extension District website – southwind.ksu.edu or they can be e-mailed to you. The fee for the course is $125. For more information, please e-mail [email protected] or call 620-244-3826.
Freeride Motocross Competition in Fort Scott on Sept. 17
FREERIDE MOTOCROSS DREAMLAND RETURNS FOR YEAR THREE WITH
RED BULL IMAGINATION
- Leading Freeriders Tyler Bereman, Colby Raha, Josh Hill, and More Return
- Limited Number of Tickets Available to Attend Competition in Kansas
Red Bull Imagination, the premier freeride motocross competition dreamt up by Tyler Bereman, is returning in September to Fort Scott, Kansas for its third year. The event brings together top freeriders for a week of some of the biggest and baddest tricks, whips and lines on a custom-built, life-sized “playground” course not found anywhere else in the world. New this year are more riders, more course updates, and for the first time ever, a limited number of tickets for spectators to witness the epic competition in person on September 17. Those that cannot make it to Kansas will be able to catch the highlights streaming on ESPN+ on September 25.
Drawing inspiration from sports like skateboarding and mountain biking with a pool-bowl style course and paying homage to Red Bull Imagination’s legacy of progressing the sport of freeride, the course will evolve yet again to take shape with features that offer riders more methods of creative freedom across the board.
The competition format, shaped from years past, will remain the same and inform the September 17 contest. In advance of the competition, riders will spend three days session-ing and fine-tuning their craft, followed by a rest day that precedes the competition day.
Leading freeride motocross rider and 10-time X Games medalist Bereman will be joined by returning riders and rookie riders, including 2022 X Games Gold medalist, 10-time X Games overall medalist Colby Raha and former AMA Supercross/motocross rider Josh Hill.
Tickets are limited to the first 1,500 guests and are available for purchase today at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/imagination starting at $45 for adults at $25 for kids. Ticket prices will go up on September 1.
All the action will stream in a one-hour show on September 25, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN+. More information on the course development, full rider roster and judging panel will be announced in the coming weeks. Through August 15, consumers who download and register Dirt Bike Unchained on mobile iOS and Android devices can earn entries for a chance to win a VIP experience with Tyler Bereman at Red Bull Imagination.
Catch up on all the action from last year’s Red Bull Imagination by visiting https://www.redbull.com/us-en/projects/imagination.
About ESPN+
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Fans sign up to ESPN+ for $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads). Subscribers to Hulu + Live TV also receive ESPN+ at no additional cost.
Chamber Coffee at Niece Products Today
FS City Commission Meets August 4 at 6 p.m.
The City Commission will reconvene on Thursday, August 4th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. for the postponed meeting from August 2nd, 2022. at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast on the City’s you tube channel.
Obituary of Thomas Powell
Thomas Edwin Powell, age 82, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Wednesday, August 03, 2022, at his home. He was born June 21, 1940, in Hiattville, KS, the son of Albert and Sara Hixon Powell. He married Beatrice June Combs on July 3, 1959, in Ft. Scott. She preceded him in death on November 22, 2020.
Tom worked for the Ft. Scott Fire Department for 30 years. He operated his own ranch for 50 years. Tom also owned and operated Fort Scott Motors on Wall Street. He was a hard working yet loving man. He loved spending time with his family on Sunday afternoons. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his children, Jerry Powell, Ft. Scott, Sherri Clark and husband Myron, Mt. Pleasant, NC, and Melany Felt, Ft. Scott; 2 sisters, Mary Estenson, Americus, KS, and Anna Smith, Ft. Scott; 9 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Powell, Jr., 2 grandsons, Scott Felt and Joe Johnson, and 4 brothers, George, Joe, Wayne, and Don Powell.
Rev. Ken Ansell will conduct funeral services at 1:00 PM Saturday, August 6th, at the First Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Fireman’s Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.